BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — The Erie County Public Health Lab now has the capability to test for novel coronavirus, which causes the disease known as COVID-19.
The Lab received test supplies and materials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Health care providers are now able to order COVID-19 tests from Erie County.
Previous tests had to be shipped to Albany, adding to the time it would take to receive results.
"Depending on volume, we expect that results will be available to physicians and our department within 24 hours or less, as opposed to the longer turn-around times with commercial labs, the NYSDOH Wadsworth Center and the CDC," said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. "These kits are FDA-approved under the current Emergency Use Authorization."
Erie County Department of Health, COVID-19 resources: www.erie.gov/covid19
